Heath plant named Heidi

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of heath named `Heidi`, a seedling of unknown pollen parent discovered growing in a field of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, the variety believed to be the seed parent, which is principally distinguished by its dwarfish growth habit which makes it suitable for pot plant culture relative to that of its parent, which is of the cut flower variety. The new variety is also distinguished by its red-purple magenta colored blooms, its natural abundant branching, its stiff erect stems, its compact, dense appearance, and its early blooming time of mid January through mid February which makes it available for the Valentine Day market.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of the Ericaceae family which has been named Erica persoluta `Heidi` by the assignee of the invention. This new heather variety was discovered by the inventor as a seedling of unknown pollen parentage growing in a cultivated field of Erica persoluta `Sunset` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,336), the cut-flower variety believed to be the seed parent, where it was noticed because of its intense red-purple, magenta colored blooms, and dwarfish growth habit compared to the field cut flower heath varieties, which make it desirable for potted plant culture. The new variety resembles its seed parent persoluta `Sunset` in its early blooming habit.

The characteristics of the new variety that make it desirable for potted plant culture are: its slower growth rate and natural branching with little or no pruning which results in a shorter plant with a full dense appearance.

The closest varieties of heath, cultivated as potted plants, of which I am aware are Erica persoluta and Erica persoluta `Rosemarie`. `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` are very similar in their dwarfish growth habit which differs greatly from the growth habit of Erica persoluta. These growth habit characteristics are:

1. slower growth rate and shorter height,

2. compact, dense appearance, and

3. natural abundant branching with minimal or no pruning.

In bloom color, `Heidi` is darker in color than `Rosemarie` and lighter in color than Erica persoluta.

In blooming time, at Half Moon Bay, Calif., `Heidi` starts to bloom 1 to 2 weeks later than `Rosemarie`, and 1 to 2 months earlier than Erica persoluta. `Heidi` normally reaches bloom maturity from mid January through mid February, and `Rosemarie` reaches bloom maturity from December through February. This makes `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` available for the Valentine Day market. Erica persoluta does not reach bloom maturity until March.

`Heidi` also differs from `Rosemarie` in its darker green foliage color during the vegatative stage, and its distinct tight plumed foliage having very erect and stiff stems. `Rosemarie` has needlelike foliage and stems that give a much looser appearance.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings performed under the direction and control of the inventor at Half Moon Bay, shows that its shorter, compact growth habit, natural abundant branching, early blooming time and intense red-purple color, remain true from generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant, shorter height, dense compact appearance and intense red-purple blooms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The following description is based on observations of well fertilized 4" potted plants of 12 to 14 months of age from initial propagation which were grown outside under saran in a commercial nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif., where temperatures average from 55 to 65 degrees F. during the summer months, and 45 to 55 degrees F. during the winter months.

Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the stated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal, and cultural conditions.

The Plant

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Erica persoluta `Sunset`.

Pollen parent.--Unknown.

Classification:

Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Heidi`.

Commercial.--`Heidi`.

Form: Perennial.

Shape: Upright, stems curving slightly to accommodate fullness of plant.

Height: Mean 11" to 12".

Girth: Mean 5".

Branching: Naturally abundant with minimal or no pruning necessary.

Growth: Slow growth rate resulting in reduced height of plant.

Rooting time: 3 weeks.

Foliage: Abundant, with distinct tight plumed foliage, very erect and stiff.

Size of leaf.--Mean 1/8" long and less than 1/16" wide.

Shape of leaf.--Plumedlike.

Character.--Sulcate.

Color.--RHS 143A.

Texture.--Smooth.

Hardiness: Can tolerate a temperature range of 28 to 100 degrees F.

Disease resistance: Considerable resistance to fungus type diseases. Common diseases include phythium and phytoplhora.

Seed production: Sparce; commercially produced asexually by cuttings.

Effects of weather: Can tolerate freezing temperatures for one week. Over 90 degree F. temperatures stress the plant.

In general, the foliage is too tiny to determine further characteristics by on plant observation.

The Bud

Size:

Length.--1/8" and less.

Diameter.--1/16" and less.

Rate of opening: Rapid, progressive and continuous beginning at the base of stem and progressing to the tip of the stem.

Petals: Corolline flowers in which the sepals are relatively insignificant.

Color: R.H.S. 72C.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Annually, from mid January through mid February.

Size of bloom: 1/8" by 1/16".

Borne: Compound raceme. Clusters with as many as seven terminal buds.

Shape: Urceolate.

Appearance: Satiny.

Color: RHS 71C to 71D in overall appearance of the plant.

Flower Stem:

Length.--Mean 1/4" to 3".

Color.--RHS 177D.

Strength.--Woody and supple.

Discoloration: Does not fade.

Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot or wet weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot dry sunshine will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to fade and decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality. Extended wet weather will cause more mature blooms in the clusters to turn brown.

Persistence: Blooms persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. Blooms do not shed easily.

Fragrance: Mild.

Lasting quality: On plant: 2 months. As a cut flower: 2 weeks.

The outstanding characteristics of this new plant resides in its early blooming from mid January through mid February for the Valentine's Day market, whereas Erica persoluta does not begin to bloom until March. Its natural compact growth habit makes it suitable for pot plant culture, whereas its parent Erica persoluta `Sunset` is of the cut flower variety and is taller.

    ______________________________________                                         TABLE OF COMPARISON                                                                                 `ROSE-    ERICA                                           PLANT  NEW CULTIVAR  MARIE`    PERSOLUTA                                       ______________________________________                                         Height a 4" pot will be                                                                             Same      a 4" pot will be 10"                                   8" or 9" high in        to 12" high in                                         18 mos. growing         18 mos growing                                         time with little or     time with                                              no pruning              numerous pruning.                               Form   short, dense  Same      woody shrub                                            appearing, compact                                                             woody shrub                                                             Shape  Upright, stems                                                                               Same      Upright, stems                                         curving slightly to     spreading to                                           accomodate fullness     produce fullness                                       of plant                of plant                                        Branch-                                                                               naturally generous,                                                                          Same      Generous, several                               ing    minimal or no           prunings necessary                                     pruning needed          to encourage                                                                   branching                                       Growth upright but   Same      upright with woody                                     naturally short and     flexible strength                                      branching                                                                      with woody, flexible                                                           strength                                                                Blooming                                                                              Annual,       annual,   Annual,                                         Season:                                                                               mid January   Dec.      early March                                            through mid   thru Feb. through late March                                     February                                                                Foliage                                                                        Color  R.H.S. 143A   R.H.S.    R.H.S. 143A                                                          144A      with 59A                                                                       streaking through                                                              the leaves.                                     Size   1/8"          Same      Same                                            Shape  plumedlike, with                                                                             Acerose   Acerose                                                stiff, erect stems                                                                           and stems                                                                      give a                                                                         loose                                                                          appearance                                                Quantity                                                                              Abundant      Same      Same                                            Bloom                                                                          Size   1/8" × 1/16"                                                                           Same      3/16" × 1/16"                             Shape  Urceolate     Same      Ovoid                                           Color  R.H.S. 71C    R.H.S. 66D                                                                               R.H.S. 70A to 70B                                      to 71D                                                                  Rate of                                                                               Rapid, progressive                                                                           Same      Same                                            opening:                                                                              and continuous                                                                 beginning at the                                                               base of the stem                                                               and progressing to                                                             the tip of the stem.                                                    ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Heath family substantially as herein shown and described. 